Alex KhachigianAlex Khachigian
Lake Tahoe

Sierra Nevada, CA & NV

Lake Tahoe

Alpine water so clear it looks shallow from a hundred feet up.

  • South Lake Tahoe
  • Incline Village
  • Tahoe City
  • Truckee

Top Hotel & Airbnb Stays

Tours & Experiences

My Lake Tahoe Reels

About Lake Tahoe

Top Places To See or Explore

  • Route 89
  • Sand Harbor
  • Emerald Bay
  • Bonsai Rock
  • East Shore Trail
Best time to go:
June to September for the lake, December to March for snow
Getting there:
About 2 hours from Sacramento, 1 hour from Reno

Planning a Trip to Lake Tahoe

The 72-mile loop around the lake is one of the best drives in the state. Sand Harbor and Emerald Bay get busy by nine, so go at sunrise and you get them nearly alone.

What to Do in Lake Tahoe

  1. Get to Sand Harbor before eight

    The lot fills and closes, often before nine in July.

  2. Do the full 72-mile loop in one day

    Emerald Bay on the west side, cliffs on the Nevada side.

  3. Bike the East Shore Trail to Hidden Beach

    Three paved miles from Incline Village. Rentals at the trailhead.

  4. Paddle out at Bonsai Rock at sunrise

    Small pullout on Highway 28 with barely any parking.

Common Questions About Lake Tahoe

When is the best time to visit Lake Tahoe?
June to September for the lake, December to March for snow.
How do you get to Lake Tahoe?
About 2 hours from Sacramento, 1 hour from Reno.
Where should you stay in Lake Tahoe?
Good bases are South Lake Tahoe, Incline Village, Tahoe City and Truckee. The places I'd book first are Edgewood Tahoe Resort, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino and Desolation Hotel.

My Shop and Affiliate Partners

Preview of my California map in Google MapsDigital

My California Map (800+ pins on Google Maps)

Every place I enjoyed in California, pinned in one map: 800+ of my favorite spots to explore across the state. It works directly in the Google Maps app.

Where to next

Highway 395 Road Trip: 7-Day Eastern Sierra Itinerary